(v) assign to a lower position; reduce in rank, See Also: bump off, Syn. bump, kick downstairs, break, relegate, Ant. promote, Example:She was demoted because she always speaks up; He was broken down to Sergeant
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Demoted p. pr. & vb. n. Demoting ] [ Pref. de- + mote, as in promote; cf. L. demovere to remove. ] To reduce to a lower grade or rank, as in the military, one's employment, or in school; to assign to a lower position. Syn. -- bump, relegate, kick downstairs, break one's rank. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC WordNet 1.5 ]